Presented by Martin Jalleh for the 2012-2013 Intake during the Mary & the Saints weekend
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1. DO CATHOLICS WORSHIP THE SAINTS? 1. The word "worship" 2.
Christian theology 3. Honouring Saints 4. "Directly to Jesus
2. DO CATHOLICS WORSHIP THE SAINTS?1. The word "worship"Old
English weorthscipe, = the condition of being worthy of honor,
respect, or dignity.
3. To worship in the older, larger sense= to ascribe honor,
worth, or excellence to someone, whether a sage, a magistrate, or
God.
4. Examples: British subjects magistrates "Your Worship
Americans "Your Honor"It means they are giving them the honor
appropriate to their office, not the honor appropriate to God.
5. 2. As the terminology of Christian theology developed LATRIA
DULIA HYPER DULIA
6. a) The Greek term latria = honor that is due to God alone b)
The term dulia = honor that is due to human beings,especially those
who lived and died in Gods friendship in other words, the
saints.
7. c) A special term was coined to refer to thespecial honor
given to the Virgin Mary -- hyperdulia ( hYper [more than]+ dulia =
"beyond dulia" It is greater in degree,but still of the same
kind.
8. All of these terms latria, dulia, hyperduliaused to be
lumped under the one English word "worship.
9. 3. Honouring Saints A Biblical practice - to honour people
-- Honour given to public officials -- In marriage ceremony wife
would "love, honor, and obey" her husband.
10. Honouring Saints * We are explicitly commanded at numerous
points in the Bibleto honor certain people.
11. Honor- ones parents (Ex. 20:12).- ones elders (Lev.
19:32).- religious leaders (Ex. 28:2).- others (Rom. 13:7)- all men
(1 Pet. 2:17).If people should be honored in general, Gods special
friendscertainly should be honored.
12. 4. Imitation is the Biblical Form of Honor The most
important form of honoring the saints, to which all the other forms
are related, is the imitation of themin their relationship with
God.
13. Hebrews 11: The Bibles well-known "hall of fame" chapterIt
concludes with the famousexhortation: "Therefore, sincewe are
surrounded by so greata cloud of witnesses , let us alsolay aside
every weight, and sinwhich clings so closely, and letus run with
perseverance therace that is set before us" (12:1)
14. V. "DIRECTLY TO JESUS "Why not pray directly to Jesus? Why
ask others on earth to pray for us?
15. A) PAUL ENCOURAGED INTERCESSION 1 Tim 2:14 First of all,
then,I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and
thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in
high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly
and dignified in every way.
16. 3This is good, and it is pleasingin the sight of God our
Savior, 4who desires all people to be savedand to come to the
knowledge of the truth.
17. Paul asked others to pray for him (Rom. 15:3032,Eph.
6:1820, Col. 4:3, 1Thess. 5:25, 2 Thess. 3:1) Assured them that he
was praying for them as well (2 Thess. 1:11).
18. B) Jesus himself required us to pray for others, and not
only for those who asked us to do so (Matt. 5:44):But I say to you,
love yourenemies, and pray for those who persecute you
19. Jesus regularly supplied for one personbased on another
persons faith (e.g., Matt. 8:13, 15:28, 17:1518, Mark 9:1729 and
Luke 8:4955). Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go, and it will be
done for you just as you have believed." And his servant was healed
that very hour . (Mt8:13)
20. C) James declares: "The prayer of a righteous man has great
power in its effects. (James 5:16-18)
21. Surely Christians in heaven - more righteous - made perfect
to stand in Gods presence (Heb. 12:22-23), -- their prayers = more
efficacious.
22. Of allintercessors we could enlist, Mary is surelyat the
top of the list.
23. e) IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH The Bible directs us to invoke
those in heaven and ask them to pray with us. (Ps. 103:20-21) (Ps.
148:1-2) (Rev. 8:3-4) (Rev. 5:8)
24. VI: ONE MEDIATOR? Violates the sole mediatorship of
Christ?: "For there is one God, and there is one mediator between
God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Tim. 2:5). Christ= unique
mediator between God and man because he is the Mediator of the New
Covenant (Heb. 9:15, 12:24) (Moses = mediator (Greek mesitas) of
the Old Covenant (Gal. 3:1920).
25. In the four verses immediately preceding 1 Timothy 2:5 Paul
says : "First of all, then,I urge that supplications,
prayers,intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for
kingsand all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet
and peaceable life,godly and respectful in every way.
26. This is good, and pleasing to God our Savior,who desires
all men to be savedand to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1
Tim. 2:14). Jesus is indeed the one and unique mediator -- who
makes all other mediation possible (egs.)
27. VII: Do the saints pray in heaven? Revelation 5:8 And when
he had taken the book, the four beasts and four [and] twenty elders
fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and
golden vials full of odours,which are the PRAYERS OF SAINTS.
28. Revelation 8:3 And another angel came and stood at the
altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much
incense, that he should offer [it] with THE PRAYERS OF ALL SAINTS
upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke
of the incense, [which came] with the PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS,
ascendedup before God out of the angels hand.
29. ONE BODY, THE CHURCH There is only one body, the Church.
The church is notone church in heaven as opposed to one church on
earth. The one church is intimately connected with each otherVine
and the branches in John 15. And those in heaven are just men made
perfect.
30. Dear Father, You have given the saints in Heaven eternal
happiness and they now live in the fullness of Your glory. Because
of theirholy love for You, they also care about me and my family,
my friends, my church, and my neighbors. Thank You for the gift of
their friendship and the witness of their holy lives.
31. I ask our patron saints and everysaint who has become
especially dear to me to intercede for us. I ask them to help us
journey safely on the narrow path that leads to Heaven. O Lord,
give us their protection. Grant us their assistance in overcoming
temptation and gaining the fullness of life with You. Amen